A couple weeks after Maui County restaurants were allowed to reopen, bars finally got state and county clearance to resume operations starting Monday.

Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino announced in a news conference Tuesday afternoon that bars may reopen with capacity limits and social distancing.

Also, indoor and outdoor gathering capacities were increased and certain outdoor sports may restart. Gov. David Ige signed off on the county requests Tuesday.

“It’s exciting times,” Victorino said, pointing to the latest round of reopenings starting Monday and the resumption of interisland travel Tuesday without quarantine. “We are reopening. We are reopening slowly.”

Bars that reopen Monday must limit occupancy to no more than 50 percent of maximum capacity. Groupings of up to 10 people, with 6 feet of social distancing from other groups, must be designated through ropes or other means of physical separation. Also, bars are encouraged to have customers enter and exit through different points and implement cashless and receiptless transactions.

County Managing Director Sandy Baz said indoor gatherings of 50 and outdoor gatherings of 100 with modifications will be allowed starting Monday.

He said that many people have questioned how the gatherings will work. “It’s about groups of 10,” he explained.

“You can have 10 people in each pod,” he said. “If you have an outdoor wedding, you have 100 people there, but basically just 10 people in each group.”

People with questions should call the Mayor’s Office at 270-7855; details also will be on the county website, he said.

Also, county officials received state approval for the resumption of certain outdoor organized team sports, such as canoe paddling. Others sports, including football and rugby, will not be allowed for now due to “lots of physical contact.”

Victorino and Baz said the phased reopening of outdoor and indoor sports will be announced in coming weeks.

All county pools will be reopened Monday, with the exception of Kokua Pool at Kahului Community Center, which remains under repair. Swim team training and other activities will be expanded in the coming weeks, officials said.

Baz reminded boaters that vessels are allowed no more than 10 people aboard and that state Department of Land and Natural Resources rules are to be followed. DLNR is responsible for beach permits; park permits in county facilities may be obtained through the county parks department, he added.

Facilities and businesses that will remain closed for now include nightclubs, theaters, public gathering venues, banquet halls and county gymnasiums, officials said.

Victorino hailed the churches for following social distancing standards, and Baz said restaurants are doing well with the new measures.

“We went to different restaurants to see how they’re operating,” Baz said. “We appreciate the guidelines, and we look forward to the future.”

No new COVID-19 cases for Maui County were reported Tuesday.

Victorino touted the county’s testing rate, which was the highest per capita in the state. The statewide average is 4.74 people tested per 100. To date, Maui has tested 6.73 people per 100, according to county data.

“I am extremely happy we have been doing very large testing,” Victorino said. “The hospital group is now ramping up testing. Also, all medical providers are continuing their testing ability. If you don’t feel well or have symptoms, please contact any of these medical providers . . . and get tested. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

* Kehaulani Cerizo can be reached at kcerizo@mauinews.com.